Ghana in 2014 could not achieve the millennium development Goals 4 and 5 which focused on reducing maternal and childhood deaths. Data from the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey indicates Ghana’s maternal mortality rate is still high with three hundred and nineteen (319) deaths per a hundred thousand live births and neonatal mortality rate stands at twenty nine (29) per one thousand (1,000) live births.
To improve maternal, newborn and child health, the Ghana Health Service with support from the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has developed the combined Maternal and Child Health Record Book (MCHRB) with the sole objective of integrating the existing maternal and child health records.
Speaking at the official launch of the book in Cape Coast, the second lady, Samira Bawumia said Ghana’s move towards strengthening continuum of care will improve maternal and child health service delivery.
Second lady, Samira Bawumia
Touching on the significance of the book, the second lady said the new combined book has been designed to link health records of mother to her child from pregnancy till the child attains the age of five. It also aims to promote family support, especially male involvement in maternal and child care and also provide requisite information on critical issues such as nutrition, growth monitoring and promotion, and health education in a more focused and illustrative way.
The new Maternal and Child Health Record Book (MCHRB)
Mrs. Bawumia said it is envisaged that the distribution of the book will be rolled out eventually across the entire country to ensure that every mother or child has access to the book. She also advised health service providers and health partners to ensure that the target groups are reached.
Having identified the key anticipated challenge printing cost, the second lady called for more partnership with the Ghana Health Service in the spirit of promoting healthy private public partnership to support in the printing and distribution.
The ceremony was witnessed by the Japanese Ambassador to Ghana, the Central regional minister, deputy minister of health, Kingsley Aboagye-Gyedu, Director of the Ghana Health Service, representatives of health and development agencies, nananom among others.
Source: ATL FM NEWS
